Today I had a day off, so I was able to get a few things done, though not as much as I would have liked.
After driving Maryanne to work, I dropped off the cell phone bill before heading to East Town Mall. I had about 45 minutes to kill before anything really opened. The only places open were McDonald's and Starbucks; I went to the latter and got some hot cocoa and a scone. The scone wasn't really that good.
Once everything opened up around nine I went to Gordman's. The only worthwhile thing I found was a shirt. I killed some time at Barnes & Noble before the Dakota Watch kiosk finally opened. I decided I needed another new watch. I've decided that from here on out, all my new watches will need all steel cases. My body chemistry slowly erodes the plating on base metal cases.
I returned home for a bit to get some laundry done and do a few other things. Once the laundry was in the dryer I ventured out again. I stopped first to pick up my new glasses; glass lenses are 100% better. I then got a haircut at Cost Cutters before stopping at Stoughton Garden Center for a few things, including a bunch of bulbs.
While at Cost Cutters I came to a conclusion: Men's Journal must be in love with Brett Favre. Quite some time ago they did an article on the toughest men in America, and Favre topped the list. Now, in a more recent issue, they had a story about Favre and a 10-point plan for getting and keeping your dream job.
After returning home I rushed to finish the laundry and run the dishwasher so I'll have time to clean up before going to pick up Maryanne and drive north. Time might be tight.
2005-09-30
2005-09-29
Yossarian Lives
Well, I finished Catch-22 today. I was glad I reread it. There were parts I remembered, and other parts I did not. I'm not exactly sure how satisfied I was with the ending, despite it being a very entertaining yet thought-provoking book. I'll have to read the sequel sometime.
I was pleased to see that the author, Joseph Heller, had served as a bombardier in World War II; I hope his own experiences influenced his writing, inasmuch as the details and other factual elements are accurrate.
Unfortunately I didn't bring another book with me, and probably should have. It's been a rather slow afternoon and I could really use another book. I'm not entirely certain what will be next, but I suspect it will be the recently-acquired Mars omnibus I purchased, containing the first three books of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Mars series.
Yesterday and today have been flirts with autumn. Yesterday was dull and drab, with overcast skies and the occasional sprinkle of rain, and a chill wind swirling brown leaves around. Today is cool but more pleasant, with bright clear skies before heading into a weekend that will be unseasonably warm. I've come to enjoy autumn more than summer, and part of me looks forward to the first few frosty nights that will add the fiery fall colors to the trees. Some mums seem in order, but I've yet been able to make it to the garden center for any of them or for any spring bulbs. Perhaps I'll do that tomorrow.
I was pleased to see that the author, Joseph Heller, had served as a bombardier in World War II; I hope his own experiences influenced his writing, inasmuch as the details and other factual elements are accurrate.
Unfortunately I didn't bring another book with me, and probably should have. It's been a rather slow afternoon and I could really use another book. I'm not entirely certain what will be next, but I suspect it will be the recently-acquired Mars omnibus I purchased, containing the first three books of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Mars series.
Yesterday and today have been flirts with autumn. Yesterday was dull and drab, with overcast skies and the occasional sprinkle of rain, and a chill wind swirling brown leaves around. Today is cool but more pleasant, with bright clear skies before heading into a weekend that will be unseasonably warm. I've come to enjoy autumn more than summer, and part of me looks forward to the first few frosty nights that will add the fiery fall colors to the trees. Some mums seem in order, but I've yet been able to make it to the garden center for any of them or for any spring bulbs. Perhaps I'll do that tomorrow.
2005-09-27
Hrm...
| You are a Social Liberal (68% permissive) and an... Economic Moderate (43% permissive) You are best described as a:
Link: The Politics Test on OkCupid Free Online Dating |
2005-09-25
Weekend
Maryanne and I went out of town to celebrate our wedding anniversary, thinking it would probably be the last chance for a while that we'd be able to do so, what with a child on the way and all. We went up to Kewaunee and stayed at the Karsten Inn. We left Friday, since I had the day off and Maryanne only had a half day. We ran a few errands in Madison before making our way northward. It was a pleasant enough drive, and after checking in and getting settled, we decided to have dinner. I was disappointed to learn that the restaurant at the hotel had closed in December. We decided to go up to Algoma and get some pizza at Penguin City. It was interesting to see some changes in Algoma: places that moved, or closed, or opened, or other improvements around town.
Saturday we breakfasted at the hotel before departing for Green Bay. We made stops at Best Buy and the Packers Pro Shop before going to Heritage Hill. When we arrived there we learned that they were only running guided tours, and the next open one wasn't for another two hours. We decided to drive back to Lambeau Field and have lunch at the atrium. This turned out to be rather fortuitous, as we were able to see some of the Packers players leave the stadium.
After lunch we drove back to Heritage Hill and took the tour. It was very interesting, and even Maryanne enjoyed it, admitting to liking it more than she thought she would. Afterwards we drove back to Kewaunee so Maryanne could rest a bit before dinner. I was hoping to catch the Badger game, but the channel wasn't available at the hotel. After watching parts of a couple of movies, we went to dinner at restaurant called Port O' Call. It had been recommended by the front desk clerk at the hotel. We were quite pleased with it: the food was good, the service was good, the atmosphere was good, and they had the Badger game on.
This morning we breakfasted at Dairy Dean's in Algoma before departing for home. We wanted to get an early start to avoid traffic from the Packers game. This turned out to be a good decision, as well, as we had to slow down several times due to heavy rain.
Sadly, once we did get home the football game wasn't much better. There were some improvements on both sides of the ball, but not enough to get a win. I sense some impatience on the part of Brett Favre, and I think it's starting to affect his game adversely. They badly need a win to get back on track.
Saturday we breakfasted at the hotel before departing for Green Bay. We made stops at Best Buy and the Packers Pro Shop before going to Heritage Hill. When we arrived there we learned that they were only running guided tours, and the next open one wasn't for another two hours. We decided to drive back to Lambeau Field and have lunch at the atrium. This turned out to be rather fortuitous, as we were able to see some of the Packers players leave the stadium.
After lunch we drove back to Heritage Hill and took the tour. It was very interesting, and even Maryanne enjoyed it, admitting to liking it more than she thought she would. Afterwards we drove back to Kewaunee so Maryanne could rest a bit before dinner. I was hoping to catch the Badger game, but the channel wasn't available at the hotel. After watching parts of a couple of movies, we went to dinner at restaurant called Port O' Call. It had been recommended by the front desk clerk at the hotel. We were quite pleased with it: the food was good, the service was good, the atmosphere was good, and they had the Badger game on.
This morning we breakfasted at Dairy Dean's in Algoma before departing for home. We wanted to get an early start to avoid traffic from the Packers game. This turned out to be a good decision, as well, as we had to slow down several times due to heavy rain.
Sadly, once we did get home the football game wasn't much better. There were some improvements on both sides of the ball, but not enough to get a win. I sense some impatience on the part of Brett Favre, and I think it's starting to affect his game adversely. They badly need a win to get back on track.
2005-09-22
Seasons
Maryanne and I went out to dinner last night, because yesterday marked our third wedding anniversary. It was an enjoyable evening. We checked out a fairly new restaurant, Laz Bistro, in Stoughton. I was fairly impressed. We ordered an appetizer, which consisted of home-made kettle chips covered with Monterey jack and bleu cheeses and a red pepper sauce; it was delicious. For my entree I ordered their barbecued ribs, and was quite satisfied with them. They were accompanied by curly fries, which were fair, and baked beans with apples and pecans, which was quite interesting.
Today marks the transition into autumn. I'm kind of looking forward to it; I'll be glad to see the hot, oppressive weather of late summer go. Even the weather has sensed the change; yesterday was sunny, clear, and hot, while today has been gray and cool. I'm enjoying it.
Today marks the transition into autumn. I'm kind of looking forward to it; I'll be glad to see the hot, oppressive weather of late summer go. Even the weather has sensed the change; yesterday was sunny, clear, and hot, while today has been gray and cool. I'm enjoying it.
2005-09-20
Wasted opportunity
Maryanne and I watched The Wedding Date last night. I had actually wanted to see it, since the previews made it appear intriguing. I was expecting a romantic comedy in the traditional sense, and while it had its lighter moments, it wasn't really what you'd call a romantic comedy.
That being said, Debra Messing was pretty hot and delivers a good performance, but Dermot Mulroney's character was way too stoic, for lack of a better term. Holland Taylor was under utilized, as was Peter Egan.
It was an interesting story, but somehow lacked some punch. I think the blame can be placed on the writer and the director, because the cast really looked capable of doing more given the opportunity.
That being said, Debra Messing was pretty hot and delivers a good performance, but Dermot Mulroney's character was way too stoic, for lack of a better term. Holland Taylor was under utilized, as was Peter Egan.
It was an interesting story, but somehow lacked some punch. I think the blame can be placed on the writer and the director, because the cast really looked capable of doing more given the opportunity.
2005-09-19
Into the woods
Despite there being much shittiness at work last week, I was actually able to leave work early on Friday and participate in this year's guys' camping trip. It was at Castle Mounds Campground up in a state forest in the Black River Falls area. It was a relatively short drive for me, considering the other participants were coming from either the Twin Cities or from Chicago/Milwaukee. The whole experience was a lot of fun, and also allows me to make a list of useful camping equipment for next time.
I returned home Sunday, and Jesse and Barret stopped by on their way to Chicago. They watched the first half of the Packer game with Maryanne and me. The Packers didn't look so hot, and I place the full blame for the second interception on Brett. Let's hope they can get out of the woods next Sunday.
I returned home Sunday, and Jesse and Barret stopped by on their way to Chicago. They watched the first half of the Packer game with Maryanne and me. The Packers didn't look so hot, and I place the full blame for the second interception on Brett. Let's hope they can get out of the woods next Sunday.
2005-09-16
Trifecta
Three shitty days in a row. I mean shitty. Fucking shitty. That's what happens when you do tech support and get to clean up someone else's mess.
Apparently it all started Tuesday after a software release on Monday night. Things were broken, and we couldn't fix it. By Wednesday we were given the tools to fix it, and told another release sent that night would fix it.
Thursday morning we found out the new release didn't go out the night before. Why? It didn't get tested in time. So our customers have been using broken software for two days, and you're going to make them use it a third day because you decide to actually test it now?
I'm having a really hard time keeping from telling our customers what I really think of the whole situation.
Apparently it all started Tuesday after a software release on Monday night. Things were broken, and we couldn't fix it. By Wednesday we were given the tools to fix it, and told another release sent that night would fix it.
Thursday morning we found out the new release didn't go out the night before. Why? It didn't get tested in time. So our customers have been using broken software for two days, and you're going to make them use it a third day because you decide to actually test it now?
I'm having a really hard time keeping from telling our customers what I really think of the whole situation.
2005-09-15
Twee
James Lileks, on the legal system: "An adequate representation of the flaws and aspirations of its participants."
Funniest thing I've read all day, and that's considering the fact that I'm currently working on Catch-22.
Funniest thing I've read all day, and that's considering the fact that I'm currently working on Catch-22.
2005-09-14
Not that long
I started on Catch-22 today. The last time I read it was my sophomore year of highschool. It'll be nice to return to it, especially as I'm more mature than I was then and may pick up on some things in the book that I didn't before.
I remember an episode of Animaniacs in which Ben Stein voiced a character by the name of Francis Pumphandle, "...but my friends call me Pip." Now Pip was a caricature of Stein, and his almost monotone drone was exaggerated for the cartoon. During his long and boring monologue he spoke of Catch-22, and how it was a long novel, and he never finished novels. Now, this edition is in hardcover from Simon & Schuster, and weighs in around 400 pages, which compared to some other books I've read, isn't long at all. I think we all know I won't have any problems finishing it.
I remember an episode of Animaniacs in which Ben Stein voiced a character by the name of Francis Pumphandle, "...but my friends call me Pip." Now Pip was a caricature of Stein, and his almost monotone drone was exaggerated for the cartoon. During his long and boring monologue he spoke of Catch-22, and how it was a long novel, and he never finished novels. Now, this edition is in hardcover from Simon & Schuster, and weighs in around 400 pages, which compared to some other books I've read, isn't long at all. I think we all know I won't have any problems finishing it.
Nominated
There has been much to-do in the news regarding the confirmation hearing for John Roberts. Before even seeing any news on it, I thought to myself that he's there to interpret the Constitution, not promote his personal opinions. As it turns out, that's pretty much what he's said: "my faith and my religious beliefs do not play a role in judging. When it comes to judging, I look to the law books and always have."
Why, then, are so many people having a hard time taking him at his word?
Why, then, are so many people having a hard time taking him at his word?
2005-09-13
Mmm... Good!
2005-09-12
A familiar story
I finished The Arabian Nights today. Technically it's The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, but we'll not quibble. I enjoyed rereading it, and this edition included a few more stories that I was not familiar with.
My only complaint is that the whole time I was reading the story of Alaeddin, I was picturing the princess's father as a doddering, portly old man like in the Disney movie. Damn you, Disney!
I didn't bring any other books with me today, so we won't know for sure until Wednesday what will be next. I have a feeling I'll be rereading Catch-22.
My only complaint is that the whole time I was reading the story of Alaeddin, I was picturing the princess's father as a doddering, portly old man like in the Disney movie. Damn you, Disney!
I didn't bring any other books with me today, so we won't know for sure until Wednesday what will be next. I have a feeling I'll be rereading Catch-22.
Unmotivated
Maryanne and I spent another low-key weekend mostly at home. We didn't really get much of anything accomplished. I did some painting on Saturday, but nothing significant, and besides watching the Packers lose, we didn't do much yesterday, either.
We both have the day off tomorrow, though, and I hope to get more done.
We both have the day off tomorrow, though, and I hope to get more done.
2005-09-09
Outlook not so good
So I picked up my new glasses yesterday. It took a few hours to adjust to them. I noticed right away that they were much, much lighter, being that they have plastic lenses that are much smaller than my old ones.
That being said, though, I'm not sure I can handle them. I noticed right away that I had to turn my head and look directly at something for it to be in proper focus. I couldn't just move my eyes. This has been even more noticeable today at work, where I would normally just move my eyes around my computer screen. This doesn't work so well. I don't know if it's the smaller size of the lenses, or the fact that they're plastic. If it keeps up throughout the morning, I'll be calling to the optical shop and discussing it with them.
Update: After talking with the optical shop, the most likely candidate is the plastic lenses. While the high-index plastic is optically superior to polycarbonate, it's not as good as glass. Sandy, the optician, will adjust my frames on Tuesday, and if I still don't like it, we'll switch to glass, no charge.
That being said, though, I'm not sure I can handle them. I noticed right away that I had to turn my head and look directly at something for it to be in proper focus. I couldn't just move my eyes. This has been even more noticeable today at work, where I would normally just move my eyes around my computer screen. This doesn't work so well. I don't know if it's the smaller size of the lenses, or the fact that they're plastic. If it keeps up throughout the morning, I'll be calling to the optical shop and discussing it with them.
Update: After talking with the optical shop, the most likely candidate is the plastic lenses. While the high-index plastic is optically superior to polycarbonate, it's not as good as glass. Sandy, the optician, will adjust my frames on Tuesday, and if I still don't like it, we'll switch to glass, no charge.
2005-09-07
Redecorating
I used to have a link to a website called ThemeXP, which was a place to get desktop wallpaper and themes, and the like. However, I checked them out again recently, then quickly removed my link. Why? They used to provide the files in a downloadable .zip file. Now the files are in a self-extracting archive, in a .exe format, which also installs some spyware on your system. No thanks.
2005-09-06
Mellow
Maryanne and I spent a rather slow-paced and relaxing weekend in Door County. I helped Mom with a project or two, but other than that, there weren't many tasks to complete. This means that the next time I'm up there will be more, including moving some trees. By that time, though, the weather should be cooler and more hospitable to physical labor.
We were able to do some shopping, and we found some nice tin signs for our kitchen at an antique shop. We were also able to spend some time with Adam and Sammie, and we rented Napoleon Dynamite, which turned out to be a bizarre but amusing movie.
Labor Day weekend also usually marks Sevastopol class tournaments, so I saw some old schoolmates. We ate out a lot, but Maryanne and I paid less than $20 ourselves the whole weekend.
Yesterday I tried helping Adam set up some new computers at Cherry Hills. The computers themselves weren't too much of an issue. However, we did meet a roadblock when trying to install a second receipt printer on one of the computers. I suspect it's a configuration issue with the printer itself. Adam planned on contacting Epson support himself to get it resolved.
We got on the road much later than we wanted to yesterday, but we were still home by seven. Daisy was very happy to see us, and we were glad to be home.
We were able to do some shopping, and we found some nice tin signs for our kitchen at an antique shop. We were also able to spend some time with Adam and Sammie, and we rented Napoleon Dynamite, which turned out to be a bizarre but amusing movie.
Labor Day weekend also usually marks Sevastopol class tournaments, so I saw some old schoolmates. We ate out a lot, but Maryanne and I paid less than $20 ourselves the whole weekend.
Yesterday I tried helping Adam set up some new computers at Cherry Hills. The computers themselves weren't too much of an issue. However, we did meet a roadblock when trying to install a second receipt printer on one of the computers. I suspect it's a configuration issue with the printer itself. Adam planned on contacting Epson support himself to get it resolved.
We got on the road much later than we wanted to yesterday, but we were still home by seven. Daisy was very happy to see us, and we were glad to be home.
2005-09-02
Nobody could forsee....
I thought this was an interesting piece from the blogosphere. Despite the commentary on it being biased, it is, if nothing else, thought-provoking.
2005-09-01
Chaos
It would be nice to think that disasters along the lines of Hurricane Katrina would bring out the best in everone, but clearly that's not always the case. It brings out the worst in some. After you read the article, check out the discussion thread from Fark.
See you....
August is gone, and September is here. Some would say that summer is gone as well, but we've been through that discussion. There is a noticeable change in the weather, though. The days are still warm, sometimes hot, but the nights are deliciously cool, and the air is less humid.
Labor Day weekend approaches, and with it the end of summer travel. Due not only to the high demand but by the effects of Hurricane Katrina, as well, gas prices have skyrocketed. But since Maryanne and I have not been up north since the end of July, we'll make the trip anyway.
For whatever reason, I've been having some weird dreams lately. I go days, weeks even, without remembering any of my dreams, when BANG! I'll remember one quite vividly. There have been three such of these lately, all very similar. I won't go into details, other than to say I have a suspicion as to what is causing them.
Labor Day weekend approaches, and with it the end of summer travel. Due not only to the high demand but by the effects of Hurricane Katrina, as well, gas prices have skyrocketed. But since Maryanne and I have not been up north since the end of July, we'll make the trip anyway.
For whatever reason, I've been having some weird dreams lately. I go days, weeks even, without remembering any of my dreams, when BANG! I'll remember one quite vividly. There have been three such of these lately, all very similar. I won't go into details, other than to say I have a suspicion as to what is causing them.
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